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Right now, I'm using a really old pair of Sony full size headphones, which have duct-tape holding them together , and I'd like to get something really good sounding to replace 'em. Looking to spend between $100-200 bucks. You guys have any recommendations? I've been checking out the stuff at http://headphone.com, and I'd like some input from the TLLTS crew, or anyone else that has some knowledge about audio.

Something else I've been wanting to upgrade is my sound card on my PC, which is just integrated onboard AC '97 sound. I've been looking at some of the stuff on NewEgg, and I really have no idea what I should be looking for. I'm guessing almost anything I buy on there will be compatible with Linux. Is there much of a difference between a $30 sound card, and a $200 sound card? Anything particular I should look for?

When you mean full size, do you mean the kind that completely cover your ears? In what environment do you use your headphones? Are you going to use them to just listen to music?

I think it's hard to go wrong with headphones from Grado or Sennheiser. I've listened to both, and thought they sounded great. I play in a band with a couple of geezers, so I bought a Sennheiser 280 Pro, which you can get for $100 or less, they have real even frequency response, and block out a lot of ambient noise. I use them for when we try to record, and it won't work miracles, like completely drowning out the drum set, but it lets you hear the headphones above everything else. They were made for DJ's, but they sound pretty good for just listening to music, too.

I also have a pair of Shure ear phones, the kind that go inside your ear canal, and they actually block sound better than the Sennheisers. I've been wearing ear plugs when I play with the band for quite some time, so I don't even notice I have them in, but it may take a while to get accustomed to the feeling for others. You absolutely must get them to form a seal in your ear, using the directions found somewhere on the site, or else the bass is just pathetic. Once you do put them in right, though, they actually put out a decent amount of bass, and pretty much block out the outside world, so you don't have the turn up the volume at all. The Shure e2c is what I use to listen to TLLTS, and I love those things, but you'll probably get better bass from the more expensive models.

So, it depends on what kind you're looking for, but Sennheiser and Grado do very well with headphones, and I'm fond of the pair of Shure earphones I have. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the info. I use them mainly for music, and some gaming. I was looking at these Sennheiser headphones: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6826106392, and this Audigy sound card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6829102162.

Wally Balljacker wrote:Right now, I'm using a really old pair of Sony full size headphones, which have duct-tape holding them together , and I'd like to get something really good sounding to replace 'em. Looking to spend between $100-200 bucks. You guys have any recommendations? I've been checking out the stuff at http://headphone.com, and I'd like some input from the TLLTS crew, or anyone else that has some knowledge about audio.

Check out Dansdata. He's done a lot of headphone reviews from high end to cheapo. He's big on Sennheiser, but he reviews other stuff too. He's mostly a Windows guy, but still a geek, and reviews from the standpoint of what a geek would want.

If you click on index -> reviews, go to the top of page and click on "Speakers and Headphones," you'll get there. There's lots of information on what to look for in headphones even if you don't like the models he reviews.